Penn State volleyball has lost more matches within the past five days than it did all of last season.
Playing without star setter Izzy Starck— who is stepping away from volleyball to focus on her mental health— No. 5 Penn State was outmatched by No. 4 Kentucky at Rec Hall, losing in straight sets.
Penn State Volleyball Star Stepping Away From Team ‘To Prioritize My Mental Health’
It certainly wasn’t an ideal way to celebrate the team’s banner raising, which took place before the game.
Penn State dropped the first set, 25-21.
Things didn’t get better in the second set, with Kentucky winning 25-16. Brooklyn Deleye was a force for Kentucky in the first two sets, having 12 kills and five digs. She ended up with 18 kills and eight digs.
Penn State got some momentum in the third set, leading 12-9 and then 18-15. Kentucky kept fighting, and Penn State led 21-19 minutes later.
Kentucky tied it at 21, forcing Penn State to call a timeout.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Kentucky took control from there, ending it on an Eva Hudson kill to win, 25-23.
Penn State got another quality performance from Kennedy Martin, who ended the night with 18 kills and six digs.
But for the third straight game, Martin’s efforts came in a loss.
Starting at setter in place of Starck was Addie Lyon, who had a game-high 36 assists.
A big problem throughout the night for Penn State was its blocking. Kentucky ended up winning that battle, 11-5, which was a factor in why the match ended the way it did.
Penn State volleyball will look to snap out of it Sunday against New Hampshire. It will be the first unranked opponent Penn State has played all season. First serve is scheduled for 2 on the Big Ten Network from Rec Hall.
